Chầu Văn (Chau Van): Ritual Music of Đạo Mẫu
A guide to chầu văn (chau van): the sung poetry and ritual music of Đạo Mẫu mediumship, led by the moon lute (đàn nguyệt).
Music that directs ritual time
Chầu văn combines sung poetry with the moon lute, clappers, drums and supporting instruments. Musicians change mode and tempo to match the identity, palace, gestures and dramatic arc of each incarnation.
An audible archive of sacred narrative
Song texts praise deities and recount places and legends. Because repertoires circulate orally and in variants, scholarly use should identify the singer, manuscript or temple whenever possible.
Explore the topic guides
- The Four Palaces Pantheon — Deities of Đạo Mẫu
- The Four Palaces (Tứ Phủ) and Mother Goddesses of Đạo Mẫu
- Hầu Đồng (Lên Đồng): Vietnamese Spirit Possession Ritual
- Chầu Văn (Chau Van): Ritual Music of Đạo Mẫu
- Đạo Mẫu Temples: Phủ Dầy, Phủ Tây Hồ and Bảo Hà
- Making an Offering at a Đạo Mẫu Temple — Etiquette and Altar Plan
Core references
- UNESCO — Mother Goddesses of Three Realms
- Ngô Đức Thịnh, Đạo Mẫu Việt Nam.
- Fjelstad & Nguyễn Thị Hiền, Possessed by the Spirits (2006).